7800GTX doesnt fit in EPoX EP-9NPA+ Ultra

[Davegod]

I laughed when I opened the box and pulled out the 7800GTX, it's the size of the mobo in a Shuttle or something*, it's box is actually larger than the Epox's. I stopped laughing when I tried plugging it in and found it's simply too big to fit if there's a PATA cable plugged into the IDE1 socket of an EPoX EP-9NPA+ Ultra.

I have two hdd and one DVDRW, I could go without the second hdd (it's a 40gb i use for backup, mp3 etc) but it'd a bit of a nuisance. If I RMA the board I'd be a week at absolute minimum before I'd get a new board, more likely 2+, and I'm impatent to get at the toys I've worked hard to pay for.

Just go with it or get a new mobo? Is there any problems using IDE2 and not IDE1? (i'm pretty sure they should be IDE0 and IDE1 but Epox labelled it the former way).



* I'm not even sure if this is that much of an exaggeration.

 

[Steve1077]

There is no problem using IDE2 on its own, but its just crazy that anyone would make a board like that, I would change it

 

[Azkarr]

The IDE cable that came with the board is too tall. You can use a flat ribbon type one; those are usually not as tall. My flat one would lower that the gfx card if I had a 7800. Note how high up the plastic is on the purple IDE cable provided by Epox. A lot of round cables are tall like that, but a few aren't. Look for one in a local computer store; I saw a black one that was the same height as a flat IDE cable at CompUSA today.

 

[Sonikku]

Is the GT smaller then the GTX? Would it cover up both slots as well? I'm considering getting this mobo to work with a GT. I would only be using SATA HDD's with the slim red cable but I'm still curious if the GT would not fit.

 

[Davegod]

The GT is meant to be significantly shorter, according to the "official" EPoX EP-9NPA+ Ultra thread in this forum the GT has no problems at all (how did I miss the comment when i was still choosing a board :/).

I did try flat ribbon cable last night, the plugs are still too tall. However, I found one that has a shorter plug profile and i can *just* squeeze it in if I break off the top clip part. I think that clip just provides extra security to keep the cable clamped in the plug, so hopefully it'll be OK as long as I'm very careful when trying to unplug it in future. It's a very tight squeeze though, and I wont be surprised if that cable turns out to be DMA66 or something, heck I've probably got DMA33 cables in the box I found it in. Is there any way to tell apart differnent DMA ratings of cables if it's not printed on it?

If it is DMA66, Maybe I should put the DVDRW on IDE1 and keep my two HDD's on IDE2, and change BIOS to boot from IDE2?

btw the rounded IDE cables Epox supply are DMA100. I know there's pretty much no performance difference versus DMA133 in the real world but it's a strange thing to do.

 

[Peter]

There is no difference in IDE cables from UDMA-66 up - only price gauging and sales bull.

 

[Novercalis]

on a offnote question: what brand of 7800 gtx? Msi evga?

 

[Davegod]

Gainward, it has a bit about Golden Sample on the side of the box but it should be their slighly less uber
"Gainward PowerPack! 7800GTX Ultra/3500 PCX XP 256MB PCI-E"

 

[Davegod]

anyway, here goes.

hopefully be back on these forums today, and not in need of help

 

[Novercalis]

so in conclusion, you got the 7800 GTX working with the board?

I am building a rig with a 7800 gtx... this mobo looks like the perfect candidate.. anyone else has this issue?

 

[aksnow7]

I ran into the same problem when installing the EVGA 7800GTX so I had to modify the IDE cable a bit. I just pryed off the top plastic clip and it fit perfectly.

 

[Davegod]

Originally posted by: Novercalis
so in conclusion, you got the 7800 GTX working with the board?

I am building a rig with a 7800 gtx... this mobo looks like the perfect candidate.. anyone else has this issue?

yep it all worked out fine.

It is a really tight fit though. I was lucky to happen to have a DMA133 cable with a short connector, even after breaking the clip/clamp off on top - the GTX presses slightly on the cable (the orientation of the IDE socket and the IDE cable meant I still had to loop the cable over the connector). I guess you might be able to shorten a normal length IDE cable by sanding it or something, though this might just result in short pin holes.

I guess there's potential for the GTX pressing on the IDE cable to cause interference or something, but not noticed any problem and XP is repoting the drive running as DMA133 (XP is supposed to automatically reduce it if it gets errors).

Could really do with a pic, but I think on my previous setup i shorted the USB connector on my digicam.

 

[Fallengod]

In response to this concern. I have a 6800 Ultra coming. Is that longer or shorter than the 7800? Anyone know? Since ive never owned either....I have the same motherboard.

 

[Novercalis]

yeah, just purchased my 7800 gtx and this mobo, Id appreciate some pics..
i wil be setting this in a p180 case and seagate 400GB + 74GB Raptor.. would I run into some issues?